NAIROBI, Kenya -- For a number of reasons, including an agricultural sector that enjoys relatively low land and labor costs, many see sub-Saharan Africa as well suited to pioneer the development of biofuel as an alternative energy source for the continent and the world. Development analysts say it may be decades before biofuel becomes a significant alternative source of energy for Africa, but significant production could mean a boost for sub-Saharan economies by both providing new income and reducing the continent's reliance on imported fossil fuels. For many countries in Africa, oil makes up a significant portion of gross imports, a drain on their economies. In Kenya, for example, oil imports are equal to the value of its annual trade deficit. Countries like Namibia, Ghana, and Zambia are in a similar situation.
Africa Seen as Potential Leader in Biofuel Production
